School Of Seven Bells’ slinky and florid Ghostory will please true fans

Ghostory’s spook-pop has a touch of the Florence and the Machine about it

The New York electro-rock combo downsize from trio to duo for this third album.

Ghoststory marks the departure of Claudia Deheza, twin sister of remaining frontwoman Alejandra Deheza, who continues with bandmate Benjamin Curtis (ex-Secret Machines) – but that doesn’t mean they’ve restricted their sound. In fact, they are more slinky and florid than ever, which should please fans of their 2008 debut, Alpinisms.

It’s an absorbing reverie and also an instantly recognisable one, from Deheza’s ingénue tones to the timely reference points (Bat For Lashes, New Order, the flouncy spook-pop of Florence And The Machine) that flow through high-drama numbers such as Lafaye and Scavenger. Nevertheless, Ghoststory’s spell doesn’t linger for long after play.